Theft of Motor Vehicle Suspect Search

NEWS RELEASE

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE SUSPECT SEARCH

On January 3, 2025, at approximately 11:25pm, the Sauk County Communications Center received a report of a stolen motor vehicle from a resident in the City of Baraboo.  The Baraboo Police Department responded to investigate the theft of the truck.  Deputies with the Sauk County Sheriff's Office attempted to locate the stolen truck and observed the vehicle traveling westbound on State Highway 136 in the Town of Baraboo at around 11:43pm.  The truck was safely stopped on STH 136 near Kohlmeyer Road and two occupants fled on foot.  One occupant was arrested at the scene. 

The other occupant, believed to the driver of the stolen vehicle, was not immediately apprehended.  A search of the area was initiated.  Due to that search, the Sheriff’s Office requested that Sauk County Emergency Management send out an automated alert to cell phone customers within the immediate area of the incident requesting those citizens to lock their doors and shelter in place. 

After an extensive search, a subsequent message lifting the shelter in place was sent at approximately 2:30am.  The suspect was not located.

Although the emergency alert was intended to reach only cellular customers within the immediate geographic area of the search, people outside the search area may have received the message due to carrier-specific procedures. 

At this time, the incident scene has been cleared and the shelter in place has been lifted.  If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are asked to contact the Sauk County Communications Center at (608) 356-4985 or Sauk County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-TIP-SAUK (1-888-847-7285).  The Baraboo Police Department is continuing the investigation into the theft of the motor vehicle.  

Chip Meister

Sauk County Sheriff